>an organization that I am loosely associated with (I
work for the Canadian sister organization) has just begun offering a
pregnancy newsletter which is sponsored by Meade-Johnson. My
organization is declining to use this newsletter, and I'm trying to find
the correct words to use to describe why the formula sponsorship is a
problem...<

The World Health Organisation felt the issue of marketing of breastmilk
substitutes is such a global health issue, that over 2 decades ago they
adopted the 'Code....' and recommended it as minimum practice for all
countries.  One of the principles in the Code is that companies which market
breastmilk substitutes should not have direct contact with pregnant or
breastfeeding women (You can look up exact section).  Although the
sponsorship of the newsletter is not necessarily advertising as we usually
think of it, it does bring the company name, with its associations of
formula products, to pregnant women.  We should also remember that companies
acknowledge that 'sponsorship is just another form of advertising'.

Sorry, in haste,

Magda Sachs
Breastfeeding Supporter, BfN, UK

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